Having spent 6 years living in New York City (specifically: Boreum Hill, Greenpoint and Bushwick) there is no doubt about it — NYC is a melting pot of incredible cuisine from all over the world. It’s a gem of a city where you can get anything and everything—at almost, anytime.

We’re well aware of the culinary blessing of all the food options available there to us and took advantage of every minute of it—from planning weekends with friends around unknown establishments to visits back around hard-to-lock-in reservations. In no particular order, here is a look at the 20 best things we ate in New York City in 2019.

Sunday Pancakes from Sunday in Brooklyn

with hazelnut maple praline and brown butter

Spaghetti Limone from Lil Frankie’s

with lemon, parmigiano reggiano and butter

Spicy Dan Dan Noodle Ramen from Samurai Papa

with ground pork, scallion, bok choy, leek, chile pepper, peanut and sesame paste

Whole Roasted Eggplant from MISI

with Calabrian chili, lemon, and olive oil

Varenyky and Borscht from Streecha

with caramelized onions and sour cream

Hellboy from Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop

with pepperoni and Mike’s Hot Honey

Khao Soi Kaa Kai from Uncle Boons

with curry, egg noodles, chicken leg, pickled mustard greens, and fresh tumeric
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Bay Scallop Hand Roll from Kazu Nori

off the hand roll counter menu

Double Hump Cheeseburger from Dromedary Tiki Bar

with cheddar cheese, pickles, lettuce, red onions, tomato and “flamingo sauce”

Caviar Sushi from Tokyo Record Bar

with chives and really good vinyl music

Pastrami Sandwich from Katz’s Delicatessen

Smoked to juicy perfection and hand carved to your specifications.

Half & Half Po’Boy from Cheeky Sandwiches

with fried shrimp and fried oyster

Avocado Tartine from Bakeri

with cumin, lemon and sea salt on sourdough rye

Matcha Bread Pudding from Thursday Kitchen

with valrhona jivara, matcha créme

Xiao Long Bao from Joe’s Shanghai

with pork meatball surrounded by a delightful meaty broth

Afternoon Tea at BG Restaurant

with tea sandwiches, scones, devonshire cream and petite sweets

Prime Bulgogi from Jongro BBQ

thin sliced prime beef with assorted veggies, glass noodles and soy sauce

The Kraken from Banzarbar

roasted Portuguese octopus tempura fried with patatas bravas and lemon yogurt

Laksa Soup from Mayanoki

utilizing all the leftover fish heads and bones overnight to make broth

The Number One from Frankel’s Delicatessen

with pastrami salmon, scallion cream cheese & dill cucumber